This page: The basic facts you need to
know about the FIV virus are as much about what it isn't than what
it is. Get the basics straight by reading this page.

Basic facts about FIV

FIV is a fairly
common cat virus.

FIV was only identified in 1986 (although it had probably been around
for hundreds of years before that)

Because it has only been known about for around 30 years, we are still
learning about it.

When it was first identified, there were lots of studies carried out
which formed the basis of understanding of the virus from the start.

It is only in the last 20 years or so, when more and more FIV cats
have been allowed to live their normal lives, that we are learning
that the original studies gave a false impression.

Today's 'facts' should be based on the real-life experience, rather
than those early studies, but therein lies the problem, most real-life
experience is not documented, and is therefore not available for the
official bodies to benefit from, so much that one reads today is still
based on those early studies.

As was mentioned on the introduction page, it is easier to specify
what FIV is NOT - hence:

1 FIV is not
in itself a life-threatening disease
2 FIV does not
'destroy' the immune system
3 FIV is not
'Cat AIDS'
4 FIV is not
contagious
5 FIV does not
necessarily shorten life expectancy.
6 FIV cats do not
have to be segregated
7 FIV cannot
be transferred to other species (animal or human)